Mom’s Apple Pie | The Ultimate Comfort Food

Apple Pie is the ultimate comfort food and this easy apple pie recipe is no exception.

My mom used to say “apple pie without cheese, is like a kiss without a squeeze”. I loved to hear her say that more than anything! Fall is just around the corner and that’s means apple picking season is too!

You won’t believe how easy it is to make this pie!

Published on August 16, 2016, and updated Jun 24, 2018 and May 10, 2019

Just thinking about the amazing aromas from a pie baking in my kitchen evokes strong memories of cozy family suppers,and the comforts of home. Come to think of it, this sweet little apple pie has created some very wonderful memories!

How To Bake an Apple Pie

If you have never baked a pie before there are a few things you will need to be successful! So in addition to the ingredients list below you will need:

Pie Baking Equipment:

a rolling pin

pastry mat

pastry cutter

apple peeler

sharp knife

measuring cups

measuring spoons

a large wooden spoon to mix the filling

mixing bowls – large and a medium one

Recently I traveled to visit friends and on my way decided my best contribution to dinner would be an apple pie.

My friend Jon loves to bake and has all of the tools, so I knew that he would have lots of flour to work with!.

I popped in to the local grocery store before my arrival and picked up:

5 lb bag of apples

Dark brown sugar

Cornstarch

Butter (for the pastry)

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Using an Old Fashioned Apple Peeler!

What I didn’t have nor had I used before was an old-fashioned apple peeler – you know the kind that you crank by hand? Well I must say I was a bit skeptical, but Jon convinced me and we were off. Enough apples peeled in minutes!

I think using an apple peeler saves about 15 minutes off the prep time too! All that’s left to do is core the apples, and slice. I try to slice the apples fairly evenly so that they will cook well too.

Once the pastry dough is made – and this is really an easy recipe and process to follow, all you need to do is mix up the apples while the dough is chilling (usually about 30 minutes).

Rolling out pastry dough is so relaxing to me – yes I know a real pie geek! I just love to bake pies.

I like to use a pastry mat – that shows the measurements or keep the pie plate nearby – to help guide you with the size.

You can finish your pastry once you have the pie crust in the bottom of the pie plate, by holding the plate by the bottom and cut the pastry along the edge of the pie plate with a knife. Then flute the edges using your fingers.

TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST APPLE PIE EVER!

Follow the instructions exactly.

This video shows you how to roll out the pie crust. Make sure you let it rest before adding the apple pie filling.

My students have asked why their top crusts puff up so high when baking and the fruit sinks – leaving a huge cavity.

Here’s why. The top pie crust cooks and becomes hard – but the apples cook down much more slowly.

The solution? Par cook your apples (before mixing in the spices and sugar) in the microwave at 3 minute intervals just to soften them.

Then mix in the sugar and spices, add some lemon juice and I always mix in cornstarch and I’ve included that in my recipe.

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST APPLE PIE FAQS

How do you make apple pie from scratch?

Choose two varieties of apples. My favourites are Granny Smith and McIntosh. Just follow the recipe exactly and you will have a delicious apple pie!

Why is my apple pie runny?

There is a lot of moisture in apples. To make up for this, see where I add cornstarch to the bottom of the pie crust and add it to the pie filling as well.

To help soak up the juice and also mix a little into the apples, I brush the bottom pie crust with cornstarch.

Mound the apples in the centre and place the top crust on. Here is where you can really let your creativity run wild! You can see I fun making a design with the pastry cutter and a fork.

Why do my apples sink to the bottom?

When you are making a two crust pie – the top crust cooks more quickly than the apples, so they will sink. See our Apple Pie FAQs above!

What apples work best for apple pie?

Just about any apple will do, but there is sugar in this recipe, so I try to use a tart apple like Granny Smith and combine it with a sweet apple – which is the McIntosh.

And the end result? A beautiful golden, mouth-watering apple pie. The perfect gift for your host and hostess!

Here is the recipe. If you enjoy it as much as I do, please leave a 5 star rating. xo

Easy Apple Pie Recipe

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour55 minutes

Mom's Apple Pie is just the best, right? So we put together this very easy apple pie recipe, that is perfect for beginner bakers. If you have every wondered "how do I make an apple pie?" then this is the recipe for you!

Ingredients

6 apples, medium, use two varieties

½ c white sugar

½ c brown sugar

1 tbsp. cornstarch

1 tbsp. flour

1 tsp Cinnamon

¼ c Butter

½ lemon , fresh squeezed

1 tsp lemon zest

1 egg , and 1 tbsp. water - for the egg wash at the end

2 9" pie crust , Pastry dough for a two crust pie - use frozen or make it from scratch! recipe is here

Instructions

Mix the apples, white and brown sugar, cornstarch, flour and cinnamon until the apples are fully coated.

Add lemon juice and lemon zest

Place the apple filling into the bottom pie crust and spread evenly - I like to pile it up in the center too!

Dot with the butter

Cover the apples with pie crust. I like to use a lattice pie crust for apple pies because I believe they bake more evenly.

You can also create cute pie crust cutouts to decorate your pie!

Beat the egg in a small cup and a Tbsp. of water. This is the egg wash that you brush on the top of the piecrust and edges to give it a lovely golden colour.

Related Recipes

This Easy Apple Pie Recipe will become your friend.If you follow the step by step instructions exactly, this amazing pie will be a recipe you will turn to again and again, and one that you will pass on to your family. So that they can bake “Mom’s Apple Pie”. Just for you.

After many years of testing, this is by far the best apple pie ever. The flour and cornstarch give the apple filling just the right consistency. Sprinkle the pastry with white sugar before you pop it into the oven!

17 Comments

Yum thank you so much for sharing, this recipe sounds divine! Now I admit, I usually tend to cheat and buy premade pastry sheets but you’ve inspired me to get my hands dirty (or should I say flour-y?) and make them myself. I know it’ll taste so much better and reach that gorgeous crackly, flaky, crunchy golden brown! Yummmm.